Comments

OB is a super fun spot - I think OB is one of the best surf spots I've experienced in my life. I love it, usually powerful and barelling even if it's 2 or 3 feet. Sure it had adverse conditions more than half the time, that's when you surf the high number of other spots that cen/norcal has to offer. This area is a surfing paradise, albeit a cold one and only for the adventurous and core surfer.

OB surfers often have a "sheep" mentality and tend to congregate at one peak. Which is great for the few of us "lone rams" who are smart enough to paddle to their own peak. I've had many of the best barrels of my life back to back to back in one session. Peace.

By Mike
, 06-02-2010

Mike - I am bodyboarder and I have been doing for 25 years. I was born in Oahu South Shore and my home break is Sandy’s. I lived in San Francisco for two years and this is my intake on Ocean Beach. By far, the most challenging, difficult, and scary place to surf. Why? I couldn’t stay in for over an hour, even though, I had my 4/3, globes, and boots. Secondly, there are days that you can get very good barrels, but when things turn ugly, be ready. Currents are as bad as Sunset Beach, HI. Sometimes, they are so bad that you will be looking down for sharks. For real!, the water is so strong that at times, you feel like below you is the landlord. Third, if you do not make the drop on a 12 foot wave, you are fucked! Because you will be held down for a while, come back up, take another wave, and get stuck in the current zone. Therefore, to me, two thumps up for the people who dedicate their life to it. I had enough of it. For a good time, I used to go around the corner to the hidden, but good left. Good bodyboarding wave, and good barrel, but again, in S.F water is too cold for me. After a good session my joints hurt and muscles were too rigid. And I still cannot believe the fact that nobody has been eating by a great white. One day, I was chatting with a longboarder and a great white passed 2 feet below us. That was my last session at OB. I came back home few months after that incident. That day remains with me and will stay with me for the rest of my life. I can NOT find the words to describe the terrifying experience.

By Anonymous
, 05-11-2009

6'1 or 6'3??? - Bwahahaha!!! The paddle is very manageable if you know what you're doing and if you are in shape. Yes it can get scary if you get caught inside by a 12 foot set that just swings in front of you, but again, if you are in shape and know what you're doing it's not that terrifying. Grew up surfing VFW's, Rivera and Sloat St. and have had countless dream sessions in big surf (12ft.+) with just a few really good surfers out. 6'1 or 6'3 boards, c'mon that's like shooting a bear with a bb gun. I usually take out a 7'6-8'0 out there. My .02.

By Anonymous
, 11-04-2009

heavy - looks heavy like those places that are a mission when they are really going off

By Anonymous
, 22-03-2009

awesome - i live 2 blocks away and its pretty fun if conditions are right. but its cold so wear a thick wetsuit!

By Anonymous
, 07-01-2009

good christ almighty hold on to your board - surfing for 21 years and have lived in SF for 2 years now, OB on smaller days can be very fun, head high and up has the potential to be downright terrifying, mostly because of the shifty and unpredictable nature of the place and because of the retarded paddle out. it's a convenient place to surf if you live in SF, but i actually kind of hate the place cause it seems to be scary or just plain unsurfable more often than its actually good or fun, and i almost always feel undergunned on my 6'1" and 6'3"

By Hot Karl
, 02-11-2008

Depends - The conditions are so dynamic here. It can go from soft and frumpy rolly pollies to liquified D9 death dozers in the time it takes for the tide to switch. I've focused a few boards navigating the impact zone and have had my face pinned to the sand on big days - just depends on the tide, currents, wind, etc... Overall it's a mellow place though.

By Anonymous
, 31-10-2008

hey kooks - this is not the heaviest wave... now listen... Garapada is heavier... IMO Montara is heavier... 8 FOOT pescedaro is heavier then 12 foot OB. THAT being said... you are all kooks and stfu and surf... You trolls think this is heavy becuase you can only compare it to LINDA MAR.... HAHAHA SEE U IN THE WATER DESK JOCKEYS!!!!!!!

p.s. I need that report before you leave today... HAHAHAHAH

By Murf da Surf
, 25-09-2008

Great in winter - I'vd only surfer here a few times but caught it perfect. It is definitely more powerful than anything on the South Shore. Who made that comparison?

By Scott
, 20-08-2008

compared to oahu - I wouldn't say it's the same strength as the south shore. It's considerably stronger than that. After a season on the north shore, being in the first overhead waves on the ss it's like playful. you see an 8 footer about to break on you and don't really care.

I would say while wave to wave it may not be as strong as ehukai/pupukea(which is my favourite ns spots, I thiknk the fact that those brak break close, and less relentlessly make them easyier to get out in. At OB you have farther through many likes of nonstop waves to get out, so by the time you get to the last peaks on your way outside, you are tireder than after the short paddle outside at ehukai.

I would say the ehukai sandbar is more of a pounding stoings wave, where OB is maybe as strong, or almost, but more of a roll your ass drag the shit out of you wave.

At the same size, say 8 feet, maybe I would rather take one OB wave on the head, but at OB you have a greater chance of it not just being one that you're taking, that's the main difference.